Product Package Having Self-Contained, Dispensable Carrying Bag

ABSTRACT

There is provided a product package having a deployable carrying bag therein. The carrying bag is placed together with the product in a container. An open end of the carrying bag is accessible through an opening in container. The open end may be pulled through the container opening upon occurrence of an event such as a sale. The opposed closed end of the carrying bag is secured within the container by a retaining disk in the carrying bag. The diameter of the retaining disk is greater than the largest dimension of the opening in the container. The carrying bag may be inverted and pulled over the container. Advertising materials may be displayed on the carrying bag initial interior surface, the advertising materials becoming visible upon deployment of the bag.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 60/807,693, filed Jul. 18, 2006.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to product packaging, and, morespecifically, to a product package containing a partially removablecarrying bag for the package.

2. Description of the Related Art

Packaged products sold in retail stores are generally placed in plasticor paper carrying bags for the customer to carry the products in fromthe store to his home or point of use. The carrying bags are oftenprinted with the name of the store at which the products are purchased,in which case the bags serve an advertising function for the retailstore. In other cases, the carrying bags are unprinted and plain, inwhich case they merely serve the function of facilitating the customer'scarrying of the products by hand.

Product manufacturers are desirous of utilizing advertisingopportunities for their products. For example, shoeboxes are oftenprinted with the name and trademark of the shoe manufacturer.Manufacturers would obviously prefer that bags into which their packagedproducts are placed also bear their names, rather than the name of theretail store selling the product. The bags would then provideadvertising for the manufacturer rather than the retail store.

A need therefore exists for an apparatus or means for providing bags forpackaged products that bear the name of the manufacturer of theproducts.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention addresses the aforementioned need. There isprovided a product package having a self-contained and dispensablecarrying bag therein. The carrying bag is initially placed together withthe product in a suitable, semi-rigid carton. A small portion of theopen end of the carrying bag is inserted through an opening in one endof the product carton. After a customer purchases the product, the salesclerk pulls the carrying bag out of the carton through the cartonopening. The opposite, closed end of the carrying bag is secured withinthe carton by a retaining disk in the carrying bag. The clerk theninverts the carrying bag and pulls it over the carton. Themanufacturer's name, logo, trademark, or other message is prominentlydisplayed on the carrying bag, providing an advertising function for theproduct manufacturer in addition to its utilitarian function.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide aproduct package having a self-contained, dispensable carrying bagtherein. Other objects of the invention are apparent from the followingdescription and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention and theadvantages thereof, reference is now made to the following DetailedDescription of an Example Embodiment of the Invention, taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a product package of the present invention withthe lid of the package open.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the product package of FIG. 1, with thecarrying bag fully removed.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the product package placed within thecarrying bag.

FIG. 4 is a detail view of the product package of FIG. 1, showing theattachment of the carrying bag to the product package.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the retaining disk of the invention.

FIG. 6 is an end view of the product package of the invention showingthe opening for removing the carrying bag.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a product package, partiallydisassembled, according to an alternative embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the product package of FIG. 7 with thefalse bottom in place in the package.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a soft drink package of the presentinvention.

FIG. 10 is a partially exploded, cross-sectional view of a portion ofthe soft drink package taken along line 11-11 in FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a partial cross-sectional view, taken along line 11-11 inFIG. 9, of the soft drink package as assembled.

FIG. 12 is a partially exploded perspective view of the cup and lowerand upper disks of FIGS. 10-11.

FIG. 13A is a bottom view of a soft drink package according to analternative embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 13B is a perspective view of the soft drink package of FIG. 13A,with the carrying bag partially removed.

FIG. 13C is a perspective view of the soft drink package placed withinthe carrying bag.

FIG. 14A is a perspective view of a beverage bottle according to analternative embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 14B is a perspective view of the beverage bottle of FIG. 14A placedwithin its carrying bag.

FIG. 14C is a perspective view of a beverage bottle according to anotheralternative embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF AN EXAMPLE EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

The invention and its advantages are best understood by referring to thedrawings, like numerals being used for like and corresponding parts ofthe various drawings. In FIG. 1 there is shown in plan view a productpackage of the present invention, generally designated 10, according toan example embodiment of the invention. Product package 10 includescarton, container, or box 11 and carrying bag 14. In FIG. 1, the lid 12of carton 11 is open, revealing carrying bag 14 stored inside carton 11.An end wall of carton 11 has a small opening 18. A small portion of theopen end 16 of carrying bag 14 is inserted through opening 18 andextends to the outside of carton 11. The actual product (notillustrated), such as shoes, is placed in the carton on top of or alongside carrying bag 14. The lid 12 is then closed, and product package 10is displayed or stored in this condition in a retail store before it ispurchased.

After a customer purchases the product, the sales clerk or cashiergrasps open end 16 of carrying bag 14 with one hand and pulls carryingbag 14 out of carton 11 through opening 18. FIG. 2 shows carrying bag 14fully removed, with the exception of the opposite, closed end 20 ofcarrying bag 14. FIG. 3 shows carrying bag 14 inverted and opened andproduct package 10 placed within carrying bag 14. A desired message,such as the product manufacturer's name, logo, or other message isprominently displayed on the surface 28 of carrying bag 14, and visibleto other shoppers and persons encountered by the purchaser carrying theproduct to their car or home.

FIG. 4 is a detail view of the attachment of carrying bag 14 to carton11 with carrying bag 14 pulled through opening 18. Retaining disk 22,shown in FIG. 5, is placed within carrying bag 14 before bag 14 isplaced in carton 11 and before its open end 16 is inserted throughopening 18 in carton 11. The diameter of retaining disk 22 is somewhatlarger than at least one of the width or circumferential openingdimension of opening 18 in the end of carton 11, shown in FIG. 6. Theopening 18 may have one lateral dimension greater than the diameter ofretaining disk 22 if the disk 22 is so arranged that disk 22 will notreadily be pulled through opening 18. By way of illustration, opening 18could be a slot with a length greater than the diameter of disk 22 but awidth less than the diameter of disk 22. Therefore, retaining disk 22inside carrying bag 14 cannot pass through opening 18, and retainsclosed end 20 of carrying bag 14 in carton 11. The retention of closedend 20 of carrying bag 14 to carton 11 facilitates deployment and use ofcarrying bag 14 for retaining package 10 and its contents withincarrying bag 14.

In the exemplary embodiment, the carrying bag 14 is turned inside-out asit is converted from its stored configuration to its carryingconfiguration. Accordingly, for a desired message to be displayed in thecarrying configuration, the message must be printed on the interiorsurface 28 of the carrying bag 14 in its initial stored configuration.The initial interior surface of carrying bag 14 is shown as deployedexterior surface 28 in FIG. 3.

As best seen in FIG. 6, opening 18 in carton 11 may be provided by asemi-circular cut 23 through the wall of carton 11. Cut 23 provides aflap 24 in the carton 11 end. Before carrying bag 14 is removed fromcarton 11, flap 24 remains closed flush with the carton 11 surface.Before removing carrying bag 14, the store clerk presses on flap 24 tobend it inward to provide opening 18 for carrying bag 14 to be removed.Although a semi-circular cut 23 is shown in FIG. 6, it will beunderstood that cut 23 can take other shapes, such as a rectangular slit(not illustrated).

In example embodiments of the invention, retaining disk 22 is made fromrecycled polyethylene terephthalate (RPET), polyethylene terephthalate(PET), or high density polyethelene (HDPE). High density polyethelene isrecyclable and is often made from recycled materials. The outer diameterof retaining disk 22 may vary in size as long as it is large enough toprevent carrying bag 14 from pulling completely through opening 18 incarton 11. In one example embodiment of the invention, product package10 is stamped with a control code or lot number for inventory managementpurposes. In another example embodiment of the invention, productpackage 10 contains a RFID antennae for distribution, theft prevention,and inventory monitoring purposes.

The product package of the present invention can be used with a widevariety of products. It is particularly well suited for use with anyproducts sold in cardboard or plastic cartons or other semi-rigidpackaging. A few examples of products for which the invention is wellsuited are shoes, foods, and beverages, such as soft drinks, sodas,children's fruit drinks, wine, beer, and other alcoholic beverages.

In one embodiment of the invention, carrying bag 14 is oversizedsomewhat to permit space for other products purchased by the customer tobe placed in the same carrying bag.

FIGS. 7-8 illustrate a product package, generally designated 60,according to an alternative embodiment of the invention. In thisembodiment, carrying bag 14 is stored under a false package bottom 62until it is removed from product package 60 for use. Carrying bag 14 istemporarily secured to the bottom surface 64 of false package bottom 62by shrink overwrap or film 66, as seen in FIGS. 7-8. In variousembodiments of the invention, false package bottom 62 is made ofcorrugated cardboard, chipboard, or fiberboard material.

Shrink overwrap 66 is wrapped over folded carrying bag 14 and over theedges of false package bottom 62, so that the outer ends of overwrap 66overlap on the upper surface 65 of false package bottom 62, as seen inFIG. 8. In an alternative embodiment of the invention (not illustrated),shrink wrap 66 is not used, and carrying bag 14 is placed loose inproduct package 60 underneath false package bottom 62.

FIGS. 7-8 illustrate the placement of false package bottom 62 andcarrying bag 14 in product package 60. False package bottom 62 isinverted, so that carrying bag 14 is hidden, and is placed in the bottomof product package 60, creating a “false bottom” of package 60, as seenin FIG. 8. The product is then placed in package 60 over false bottom62, and the package lid (not illustrated) is then placed over the upperopening of package 60. Referring to FIG. 7, the bottom or floor panel ofproduct package 60 is provided with an opening 70 for removal ofcarrying bag 14, as described above with respect to product package 10.Carrying bag 14 is extracted over an edge 72 of shrink wrap 66, orthrough an opening (not illustrated) in shrink wrap 66.

FIG. 9 illustrates a canned soft drink package, generally designated 30,according to another alternative embodiment of the invention. Soft drinkpackage 30 includes carton, container, or box 32 and carrying bag 34.Carrying bag 34 is mostly stored inside carton 32 before it is withdrawnfor use. However, a small portion of the open end 36 of carrying bag 34is inserted through opening 38 in carton 32 and extends to the outsidethereof.

FIG. 10 is an exploded, detail elevation view of the portion on softdrink package 30 embodying the present invention. Cup 40, also seen inperspective view in FIG. 12, is generally circular in shape and includesan outer rim 42. Outer rim 42 of cup 40 is attached to the underside ofthe top wall 44 of carton 32 around opening 38 by an adhesive, bystaples, or by any other suitable means. Lower disk or pin base 46, alsoseen in perspective view in FIG. 12, is attached to the inside bottom 48of cup 40. Extending upward from the center of lower disk 46 is barbedpin 50 having a pointed barb 52 on its outer end. In an alternativeembodiment of the invention, lower disk 46 is omitted and the lower endof barbed pin 50 is attached directly to the bottom 48 of cup 40.

Lower disk 46 and upper disk 54 are used to retain plastic carrying bag34 in cup 40 when it is stored in soft drink package 30 prior to use.The lower end of carrying bag 34 is punctured by barb 52 of barbed pin50, so that barbed pin 50 extends through the bottom of bag 34. Bag 34is then folded and compressed down within cup 40, except for a smallportion of its opposite, open end 36. Upper disk 54 is placed overfolded bag 34 and barb 52 is inserted and snapped through hole 56 inupper disk 54. Upper disk 54 is seen in perspective view in FIG. 12.When thus attached to barbed pin 50, upper disk 54 retains bag 34 withincup 40, as illustrated in FIG. 11. After soft drink package 30 has beenpurchased, the store clerk or customer grasps open end 36 of bag 34 andpulls the remainder of bag 34 out of cup 40 through opening 38 in carton32. Bag 34 in then inverted and package carton 32 is placed inside bag34 for carrying by the customer, in the manner described above withrespect to product package 10. Cup 40, lower disk 46, and upper disk 54are made from suitable materials, for example, recycled polyethyleneterephthalate (RPET), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), or high densitypolyethelene (HDPE).

FIGS. 13A-13C illustrate a canned soft drink package, generallydesignated 80, according to another embodiment of the invention.Referring to FIG. 13A, soft drink package 80 is similar to soft drinkpackage 30 described above, except that its carrying bag 82 is storedentirely inside pouch 84 before it is withdrawn for use. Pouch 84 isattached to the bottom of soft drink package 80 by an appropriateadhesive.

The closed end of carrying bag 82 is retained in pouch 84 by means of aretaining disk (not illustrated) inserted into carrying bag 82, asdescribed above with reference to product package 10. In anotherembodiment of the invention, the closed end of carrying bag 82 isretained in pouch 84 by a small rod (not illustrated) inserted into bag82. In another embodiment, the closed end of bag 82 is fastened to theinterior of pouch 84 by an appropriate adhesive, thereby retaining theend of bag 82 in pouch 84. In a further alternative embodiment of theinvention, carrying bag 82 is not attached to pouch 84 at all, but iscompletely removed from pouch 84 before it use.

After soft drink package 80 has been purchased, the store clerk orcustomer pulls tab 86 on pouch 84 to open pouch 84 and release a portionof carrying bag 82 therefrom. The clerk then pulls the remainder ofcarrying bag 82 from pouch 84, as seen in FIG. 13B. Carrying bag 82 isthen inverted and soft drink package 80 is placed inside bag 82 forcarrying by the customer, as illustrated in FIG. 13C. In an alternativeembodiment of the invention, pouch 84 has perforations in its surfaceinstead of a tab and is opened by pressing or pulling the surfacebetween perforations with a finger.

This embodiment of the invention may also be adapted for use withshipping packages and cartons provided to customers by a shippingservice, such as Federal Express. In this application of the invention,the pouch 84 containing the carrying bag 82 is attached to the end orbottom of the shipping carton or package. Before delivering the packageat the destination point, the delivery person removes the carrying bagfrom the pouch, inserts the package therein, and carries the package tothe destination point in the bag. In one example embodiment of theinvention, the carrying bag is preprinted on its initial interiorsurface, and post-deployment exterior surface, with the name of theshipping service. In other example embodiments, the carrying bag ispreprinted with a message selected by the shipping customer, such as“HAPPY BIRTHDAY,” “HAPPY HOLIDAYS,” OR “CONGRATULATIONS!” In addition tofacilitating the hand carrying of the package to the destination point,the carrying bag provides protection to the package and its contentsfrom inclement weather that may be encountered during delivery or whenleft outdoors for the recipient.

FIGS. 14A-14C illustrate a beverage bottle, generally designated 90,according to another embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 14A,carrying bag 92 for bottle 90 is stored entirely inside pouch 94 beforeit is withdrawn for use. Pouch 94 is like pouch 84 described above inits materials and construction, and is attached to bottle 90 by anappropriate adhesive.

After beverage bottle 90 has been purchased, the store clerk or customerpulls the tab (not illustrated) on pouch 94 to open pouch 94 and releasea portion of carrying bag 92 therefrom. The clerk then pulls theremainder of carrying bag 92 from pouch 94. Carrying bag 92 is theninverted, and beverage bottle 90 is placed inside bag 92 for carrying bythe customer, as seen in FIG. 14B.

FIG. 14C illustrates a different embodiment of the invention in whichthe pouch (not illustrated) is attached to the bottom of beverage bottle90.

The product package and carrying bag of the present invention, and manyof its intended advantages, will be understood from the foregoingdescription of an example embodiment, and it will be apparent that,although the invention and its advantages have been described in detail,various changes, substitutions, and alterations may be made in themanner, procedure, and details thereof without departing from the spiritand scope of the invention, as defined by the appended claims, orsacrificing any of its material advantages, the forms hereinbeforedescribed being merely an exemplary embodiment thereof.

1. A product package, comprising: a container having a bag deploymentopening therein; a carrying bag disposed within said container, said baghaving an open end and a closed end; the open end of the bag beingaccessible through said deployment opening; and a retainer located insaid bag.
 2. The product package of claim 1, wherein said retainerhaving at least one dimension greater than the largest dimension of saiddeployment opening.
 3. The product package of claim 1, wherein: said bagdeployment opening having a circumferential opening dimension; saidretainer having a circumferential retainer dimension; and said retainerdimension greater than said opening dimension.
 4. The product package ofclaim 2, wherein: said retainer is a disk, the diameter of the diskbeing greater than the largest deployment opening dimension.
 5. Theproduct package of claim 1, wherein: said container comprising at leastone container wall; said bag deployment opening including a cut throughsaid at least one container wall; and said cut defining a flap in saidat least one container wall.
 6. The product package of claim 1, wherein:said container comprising a plurality of container walls; and said cutis through said at least one wall of said plurality of container walls.7. The product package of claim 1, wherein: said container including acontainer floor; a false bottom disposed in said container; said bagdisposed intermediate said container floor and said false bottom.
 8. Theproduct package of claim 7, wherein an overwrap releasably secures saidbag to said false bottom.
 9. The product package of claim 8, wherein anovervrap deployment opening is provided in said overwrap.
 10. Theproduct package of claim 1, wherein: said bag and said retainer enclosedwithin a cup; and said cup contained in said container.
 11. The productpackage of claim 10, wherein: said retainer comprising a retainer diskhaving a disk hole therein; a barbed pin provided in said cup; saidbarbed pin extending from a pin base and through said disk hole; saidbarbed pin limiting outward movement of said retainer disk in relationto said pin base; and said barbed pin extending through said bag closedend.
 12. The product package of claim 11, wherein: said containercomprising at least one container wall; and said cup having a cup rim,said cup rim attached to a container wall at said deployment opening.13. The product package of claim 12, wherein said barbed pin basecomprises a bottom surface of said cup.
 14. A product package,comprising: a container having an exterior surface; a pouch secured tothe exterior surface of the container; a carrying bag disposed withinthe pouch; and a device for opening the pouch.
 15. The product packageof claim 14, wherein the pouch includes an outer surface, and whereinthe device for opening the pouch comprises a tab attached to the outersurface of the pouch.
 16. The product package of claim 14, wherein thepouch includes an outer surface, and wherein the device for opening thepouch comprises perforations on the outer surface of the pouch.
 17. Theproduct package of claim 14, wherein: said bag having an open end and aclosed end; said pouch having a deployment opening; the open end of thebag being accessible through said deployment opening; and a retainerlocated in said bag; and said retainer having at least one dimensiongreater than the largest dimension of said deployment opening.
 18. Theproduct package of claim 14, wherein: said bag having an open end and aclosed end; said pouch having a deployment opening; the open end of thebag being accessible through said deployment opening; and said closedend fixedly attached to said pouch.
 19. The product package of claim 14wherein: said product package comprises a bottle.
 20. The bottledproduct package of claim 19, wherein: said bottle has a side and abottom; and said pouch secured to the side of said bottle.